The term "bridge camera" (Page 7): My biggest surprise was when I was given an upgrade from my DLS to my first digital Bridge camera - Oh I wanted a DSLR soooooo bad "But' my son in...

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

gvarner wrote:

I always wonder about what a bridge camera "bridges", from what to what. I can see how beginners can become confused, especially if they started out with one and are completely happy with the results. I can understand a distinction between pocket cameras, fixed lens cameras, and system cameras. Oh yeah, and cameras that look like cellphones.

My biggest surprise was when I was given an upgrade from my DLS to my first digital Bridge camera - Oh I wanted a DSLR soooooo bad "But' my son in law "the photographer" told me I was going to get more out of that Panasonic Lumix FZ3 than from a $2,000 DSLR kit - yes he was right - I shot so much more with that camera and newer models after it - I dropped a couple - than I have with my now Canon Rebel s - I HAVE 3 as I moved into DSLRs with used bodies and old film lens shooting on manual - now the only reason I am not shooting the FZ 7 is pure generosity - I gave it to one of my daughters to use in her travels as she went to work for Alaskan Air - my current walk around lens is a 18-200 with IS -on a Canon T3i and my long lens is a Cannon mirrored 500 on a Canon XTi - I realy did love the super zoom of the bridge camera - I plan on borrowing it for my fall color shoot in 3 weeks.
This photo was with a FZ3 at 30,000 ft 83mm, 1/250th, iso 80 - on auto-

Harvey

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Pepsiman Loc: New York City

[quote=mas24]Bridge camera can also be a point and shoot camera, if it does not have a viewfinder, such as the one I bought in 2015, now discontinued. The Nikon L840 Coolpix, is a fixed lens with a focal range to 855mm. It is my backup camera. Even, Bridge cameras that have viewfinders, such as the Canon SX60, are generally still called Bridge cameras, because the body of the camera is similar to a DSLR body. When someone tells me they want to buy a Bridge camera. I know what they want. I tell them now, to purchase one with a viewfinder. As, to why they call it a Bridge camera,

Once in awhile I use my Nikon Coolpix L 100 & my Kodak Z 981.

cutefix

Giving examples will clarify what a bridge camera is:Most noninterchangeable zoom lens camera are bridge type- The SONY RX10 (1-4).CanonG3X, SX60 &SX70,Lumix Fz1000, FZ2000..

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

gvarner wrote:

I always wonder about what a bridge camera "bridges", from what to what. I can see how beginners can become confused, especially if they started out with one and are completely happy with the results. I can understand a distinction between pocket cameras, fixed lens cameras, and system cameras. Oh yeah, and cameras that look like cellphones.

You raise an interesting point to where the industry might consider adopting or reassigning a new standardized system for nomenclatures concerning all devices that capture or create imaging of any kind.

It might make the process of defining or choosing an item for sale a little easier to comprehend from the consumer side of the aisle. And it would certainly make our job of explaining it to a newcomer a lot simpler in terms of camera features & capabilities , etc.

We have so many choices and that blessing can sometimes be a curse , but I wouldn't ever want to go backward after having come so far.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Harvey wrote:

My biggest surprise was when I was given an upgrad... (show quote)

I never gave anything like a modern 'bridge camera' to someone traveling. I gave my Canon Elph - the traveler has limited need for lots of zoom, but lots of need for the space that a 'bridge camera' would hog.

BebuLamar

Blair Shaw Jr wrote:

You raise an interesting point to where the indust... (show quote)

I don't see the term "Bridge" in any of the camera manufacturers literature. It's a term not used by those who make cameras. Neither is "Point and Shoot".

Bill_de Loc: US

BebuLamar wrote:

I don't see the term "Bridge" in any of the camera manufacturers literature. It's a term not used by those who make cameras. Neither is "Point and Shoot".

Not true, you just need to read more before you write.

https://www.canon.co.uk/cameras/bridge-cameras/

https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/compact-digital-cameras/bridge-zoom.page

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no12mo

Bill_de wrote:

Not true, you just need to read more before you write.

https://www.canon.co.uk/cameras/bridge-cameras/

https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/compact-digital-cameras/bridge-zoom.page

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Glad I read this post before making a fool of myself. Perhaps my Nikon 5700 ( https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikoncp5700 ) was a bridge camera before the term "bridge camera" came out. It was quite a jump for me from my previous Panasonic PV DC2090

( https://www.cnet.com/products/panasonic-palmcam-pv-dc2090-digital-camera/ )

And certainly the current Nikon D500 is yet again a big jump for me

"The light dawns on marble head"

Bill_de Loc: US

no12mo wrote:

Glad I read this post before making a fool of myself. Perhaps my Nikon 5700 ( https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikoncp5700 ) was a bridge camera before the term "bridge camera" came out. It was quite a jump for me from my previous Panasonic PV DC2090

( https://www.cnet.com/products/panasonic-palmcam-pv-dc2090-digital-camera/ )

And certainly the current Nikon D500 is yet again a big jump for me

"The light dawns on marble head"

It was more recent than that article when a neighbor asked me something about a bridge camera. I said you didn't need a special camera to take pictures of a bridge. I thought he was going to take pictures of a bridge that was under construction south of here. I had never heard the term.

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Dannj

I’ve gotten such a headache from following this post I just took all my photo gear, drove to the nearest bridge and threw it all over the rail. Now, does anyone know of a good camera for someone who wants to get back into photography?

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

azdustdevil wrote:

The term "bridge camera" is a manufacturer's marketing term. It's aimed at people who are terrified at the thought of even holding a full featured DSLR or SLR but would love to have something with a zoom lens that's much more limited in functionality but also much more simple to use. I don't recommend them.

You just keep on believing that....

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

aellman wrote:

It's a bridge between point and shoots and DSLRs or mirrorless.

Bridge cameras are mirrorless.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

cutefix wrote:

Giving examples will clarify what a bridge camera is:Most noninterchangeable zoom lens camera are bridge type- The SONY RX10 (1-4).CanonG3X, SX60 &SX70,Lumix Fz1000, FZ2000..

How about a high end bridge camera like a Canon G1X III.
Although the Canon SX60HS and SX70HS fall into the Bridge camera category, they are usually classified as superzooms.